One-third of rural dwellers have little contact with neighbours

A THIRD of people in rural areas see their neighbours once a month or less, a new survey has found.

The survey of 700 residents in rural areas of Co Meath found that 35 per cent of respondents had little contact with their neighbours. But 38 per cent have contact with neighbours at least twice a week, while 24 per cent meet their neighbours once a week.

The survey was conducted by Labour Senator Dominic Hannigan, who sent a questionnaire to 8,000 rural dwellers, of whom 700 or 9 per cent responded. On foot of its findings, he said, people moving from the city or other counties to rural areas should make every effort to integrate into their local community.

The questionnaire revealed a majority of people are happy with the provision of schools although concerned about safety around schools.

Some 60 per cent of parents said there were sufficient teachers. More than 35 per cent of parents said there were not enough warning signs and flashing lights at schools and 40 per cent said the footpaths around schools were inadequate.

Almost 50 per cent of those surveyed said road surfaces had got worse while 27 per cent said bus services had improved. However, only 11 per cent used public transport, even though 55 per cent of the population is rural.

A short report, Life in Rural Meath, based on the survey also showed that rural residents were concerned about crime rates, with some 53 per cent of respondents over 40 years old worried about crime. Most complaints were linked to a lack of gardaí.

Senator Hannigan said that burglaries and joyriding topped the list of worries. Convoys of cars were involved in joyriding late at night. “It’s antisocial rather than criminal” but a major worry.

“Our proximity to the capital has led to many Dublin crime gangs operating in the county. These cutbacks will inevitably make rural Meath a playground for criminals.”